We have a rare opportunity for a junior bioinformatician with experience in next-generation genomics to join one of the Marie Curie Initial Training Networks (ITN) as an Experienced Researcher (ER). The ER will be based at the University of Edinburgh (Scotland, UK) and work closely with collaborating institutions within the CACHE (Calcification in a Changing Environment) ITN (www.cache-itn.eu).

The network brings together 10 partners from 6 European countries, including research institutes, universities, and SMEs to understand calcium regulation and shell production in bivalve species in the context of climate change. The ER will coordinate the network’s bioinformatics resources, carry out analyses of large-scale genomics and proteomics datasets in collaboration with the network’s research groups, contribute to the formulation of research publications, and deliver bespoke bioinformatics training to postgraduate students within the network.

The ER will have the opportunity to travel to other CACHE countries for collaborative research visits, meetings and training events, and benefit locally from the support of Edinburgh Genomics, one of the largest genomics facilities in Europe based at the University of Edinburgh (http://genomics.ed.ac.uk).

This is a high profile position with highly attractive benefits ideally suited to a junior postdoc or research assistant with limited recent research activity in the UK. To be considered, candidates must at the time of recruitment:

Be in possession of a doctoral degree or have at least 4 years of full-time equivalent research experienceHave less than 5 years of full-time equivalent research experienceNot have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies etc) in the UK for more than 12 months in the previous 3 years

Fixed Term contract for 22 months with a start date of no later than 31st October 2015.

1. Job Details

Job title: Marie Curie ITN Experienced Researcher

School/Support Department: Institute of Evolutionary Biology

Unit (if applicable):

Line manager: Dr Karim Gharbi

This is a readvertisment of vacancy reference 032142 & 032991. Previous applicants need not apply.

2. Job Purpose

The Marie Curie ITN Experienced Researcher (ER) will provide bioinformatics support and training to the European Commission funded Marie Curie Initial Training Network (ITN) Calcification in a Changing Environment (CACHE). The aim of the CACHE network is to understand calcium regulation and shell production in four commercial bivalve species using co-ordinated multidisciplinary approach. The network brings together 10 partners from 6 European countries, including research institutes, universities and SMEs. The ER will be based at the University of Edinburgh under the supervision of Dr Karim Gharbi and work in close collaboration with Edinburgh Genomics, the University of Edinburgh high-throughput genomics facility (http://genomics.ed.ac.uk). The ER will coordinate the network’s bioinformatics hub as a central resource and will be expected to travel to collaborating institutions as required by the partners. The ER will work co-operatively with the network’s partners and contribute to the formulation and submission of research publications. Full details on the network may be found at www.cache-itn.eu.

3. Main Responsibilities

1. Performing high-quality data analyses on large-scale genomics and proteomics datasets as required by, and in collaboration, with the network’s partners using local and distributed compute resources. 40%

2. Assisting members of the network in accessing the bioinformatics hub and carrying out, interpreting and publishing bioinformatics analyses, both remotely through online communication and in person through visits to collaborating institutions. 30%

3. Managing the network’s high-throughput data as required by the partners, including data transfer and storage, and submission to databases. 10%

4. Planning, coordinating and delivering bespoke training in bioinformatics analyses as required by the network, including at least one technical workshop 10%

5. Keeping up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the field of high-throughput genomics and proteomics. 5%

6. Keeping a comprehensive, high-quality and up-to-date record of tasks performed and reporting to the hub’s lead PI. 5%

4. Planning and Organising

The ER will be responsible for planning data analyses and other activities coordinated by the bioinformatics hub to ensure that the network’s research is conducted in accordance with its deliverables. This will require careful coordination and close collaboration with other members of the network to clearly define the analyses required and to ensure best-practice analyses. The ER will manage and oversee data analyses for several projects running concurrently, and will need to pro-actively manage the workload imposed by each project to ensure that progress is made in a reasonable time frame. The ER will also be responsible for managing the resources available for analyses, in particular ensuring that sufficient data storage and compute resources are allocated to each project.

5. Problem Solving

The ER will be responsible for checking the outputs of the analyses performed to ensure highest confidence in the results using accumulated experience, with assistance available from the hub’s lead PI for the most non-standard issues. The ER will use his/her own initiative to analyse and interpret research data, and draw conclusions from it. The ER will track down software and hardware errors, and devise solutions to rectify them as proactively as possible.

6. Decision Making

The ER will organise her/his own workload according to priorities, and make day-to-day decisions as necessary to ensure timely progress of agreed analyses for each project and other bioinformatics tasks. The ER will identify analytical tools and strategies best suited to each project/dataset in consultation with other members of the network and collaboratively assist other members of the network in interpreting complex data.

7. Key Contacts/Relationships

The ER will work under the guidance of the bioinformatics hub’s lead PI. The ER will maintain close local relationships with bioinformaticians and other staff within Edinburgh Genomics and affiliated research groups. The ER will work collaboratively with members of the CACHE network, including early-stage researchers (PhD students) and principal investigators, as required and develop relationships with key staff at each collaborating institution to ensure fruitful completion of project and training deliverables.

8. Knowledge, Skills and Experience Needed for the Job

Qualifications/Training

Essential1. Doctoral degree or at least four years of full-time equivalent research experience in equivalent field, in accordance with Marie Curie ITN eligibility criteria.

The ER will impact on most partners across the CACHE network. The ER will play a central role in providing bioinformatics assistance and training for 7 institutions across the network, and directly support 9 PhD students in analysing and interpreting large-scale datasets. The ER will also take the lead in the analyses of complex datasets generated by other members of the network.

10. Job Context and any other relevant information

This is prestigious position within a multidisciplinary network of early-stage and established scientists dedicated to pushing forward our understanding of calcium production in the marine environment. The ER will have a key role in supporting the network’s analytical and training deliverables, whilst developing their career with new skill sets at the interface of basic research and commercial exploitation.

Marie Curie ITN eligibility criteria

Experienced Researchers must, at the time of recruitment by the host organisation be in possession of a doctoral degree or have at least 4 years of full-time equivalent research experience. ITN Experienced Researchers must also, at the time of recruitment by the host organisation, have less than 5 years of full-time equivalent research experience.

Full time equivalent research experience is measured from the date when a researcher obtained the degree which would formally entitle him or her to embark on a doctorate, either in the country in which the degree was obtained or in the country in which the researcher is recruited or seconded, irrespective of whether or not a doctorate is or was ever envisaged

Conditions of nationality and mobility of researchers:Researchers are normally required to undertake transmobility (ie move from one country to another) when taking up their appointment. Two rules apply to the appointment of researchers in a network:1.Researchers can be nationals of any country other than the country of the premises of the host organisation where they will carry out their project.2.Researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies etc) in the country of their host organisation for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to their recruitment. Compulsory national service and/or short holidays are not taken into account.

Application Procedure

All applicants should apply online by clicking the apply link at the bottom of this page The application process is quick and easy to follow, and you will receive email confirmation of safe receipt of your application. Please also submit a CV and covering letter.We anticipate interviews will be held shortly after the closing date. You will be notified by email whether you have been shortlisted for interview or not. The closing date is 5pm on [insert date].

Eligibility to Work

In accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 the University of Edinburgh, as an employer, has a legal responsibility to prevent illegal working and therefore must check that all employees are entitled to work in the United Kingdom (UK).

To do so, the University of Edinburgh requires to see original documents evidencing right to work in the UK before commencement of employment and this is normally carried out at interview. Details will be provided in any letter of invitation to interview.

In the circumstances where the vacancy does not meet the Home Office and Visa Services advertising, salary and/or qualification level criteria for sponsorship the successful applicant must have the existing right to work in the UK.

Conditions of Employment

Pension Scheme

This role is grade ARC and therefore the post holder is automatically included in membership of the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS), subject to the USS membership criteria, unless they indicate that they choose not to join the Scheme.

The post is on the ARC43/44 scale and attracts an annual salary of £48,692 (if opting for superannuation contributions) or £54,086 (if not opting for superannuation contributions) for 35 hours each week. The role also attracts a mobility allowance paid monthly in addition to the salary. The amount is dependent on the successful applicant’s personal circumstances: £7,631 per annum (for those with no dependants) or £10,902 per annum (for those with dependants).

Salary is paid monthly by direct transfer to your Bank or Building Society account, normally on the 28th of the month. Salaries for part-time staff are calculated on the full-time scales, pro rata to the Standard Working Week.

The University reserves the right to vary the candidate information or make no appointment at all. Neither in part, nor in whole does this information form part of any contract between the University and any individual.

The Institute of Evolutionary Biology (IEB)

At the Institute of Evolutionary Biology we study evolution in the broadest possible sense, from virtually every angle and using a great range of organisms and techniques.

Our research falls under three broad themes:

Evolutionary and Quantitative GeneticsWe study fundamental and applied aspects of genetics, from theoretical population genetics to the genetics of complex traits.

Evolutionary Ecology and BehaviourWe explore the evolutionary causes and consequences of ecological interactions and behaviour, using theoretical and empirical approaches.

Biodiversity and EcologyWe examine biodiversity and ecological complexity, from genomes to ecosystems.

As the modern inheritors of our 400-year-old reputation for excellence, our staff and students contribute to a vibrant academic community whose visions are shaping tomorrow’s world.

The School of Biological Sciences is at the leading edge in teaching, research and innovation. Independent rankings such as the Times Higher Education consistently place us amongst the top 25 universities in the world for biological sciences.

Teaching and learning: Our undergraduate students rate us highly for the quality of our education, recording 92% overall satisfaction with their biology course at Edinburgh and an even higher rating for the quality of our teaching (2014 National Student Survey). Today’s students can study a wide range of topics, providing a strong grounding in fundamental biology with the flexibility to gain experience of the most recent research developments in biological and biomedical science in the later years of their degree programme. More than 300 students per year are admitted to our taught programmes, which are managed and supported by the Biology Teaching Organisation.

Research: Our students are taught by some of the world’s leading scientists. We are one of the top biology departments in the UK for the quality and impact of our research. More than half of our research activity was rated as ‘world-leading’ in quality and scope in the 2014 UK national research assessment, placing us second in the UK amongst university teaching departments. The success of our research is testament to the excellence of our people: some 130 academic teaching staff and independently-funded research fellows, and the 400 research assistants and technicians and more than 200 PhD students who work with these Principal Investigators. The Graduate School of Biological Sciences provides overarching training and support for our PhD students.

Our research is wide-ranging in scope and is structured around themes which build links from fundamental science to research that addresses global problems. We are investing in growth and expanding our facilities to accommodate new research directions. Our aim is to create innovation and impact from our research by integrating expertise across our research themes to generate transformational new knowledge.

The School is a member of SULSA, the Scottish Universities Life Science Alliance.

Professional services: The School’s academic success is supported by a large professional services team who deliver administrative, IT and technical services.

Working in the School: We aim to ensure that our culture and systems support flexible and family-friendly working and to recognise and value diversity across all our staff and students. The School has an active programme offering support and professional development opportunities for all staff. We place a particular focus on development for early-career researchers (postgraduate and postdoctoral research staff and personal fellowship holders), offering mentoring and an active ‘BioDocSoc’ organisation that brings together researchers for networking, events and training opportunities.

The School of Biological Sciences holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance the representation of women in science, mathematics, engineering and technology.

The College of Science and Engineering (CSE) is one of the largest and highest-ranked science and engineering groupings in the UK. Headed by Professor Lesley Yellowlees, CSE comprises seven Schools (Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Engineering, GeoSciences, Informatics, Mathematics, and Physics and Astronomy). Informatics is located in the University’s Central Area near George Square, with the other six 2 miles further south at the King’s Buildings. The College has over 2,700 academic and support staff, and educates some 6,000 undergraduates, 800 taught postgraduates and 1,500 research students. It is in the front rank of UK university science and engineering groupings for research quality and income, and is a key player in many European and international research collaborations.

Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2014

In the 2014 REF over 95% of our staff were submitted. Of our seven submissions, four of which were as a joint research school in combination with a strategic research university partner through pooling, 3 were ranked top in the UK and all 7 were in the top 5 in their discipline in the Times Higher Power rankings.

The University of Edinburgh

For more than four centuries, our people and their achievements have rewritten history time and again. They’ve explored space, revolutionised surgery, published era-defining books, paved the way for life-saving medical breakthroughs and introduced to the world many inventions, discoveries and ideas from penicillin to Dolly the sheep. We have believed that anything is possible.

We still do. The latest Research Excellence Framework highlighted our place at the forefront of international research. This adds to our international reputation for the quality of our teaching and our student experience excellence.

As a member of staff you will be part of one of the world's leading universities, with 22 Schools spread over 3 Colleges that offer more than 500 undergraduate and 160 postgraduate courses to over 35,000 students each year. Professional services are critical to this success as well as our world-class teaching, research and student facilities. In fact, we are one of the top employers in Edinburgh, with over 12,000 people spread across a wide range of academic and supporting roles.

The University is proud of its success with online teaching initiatives, with 1905 students currently studying its online distance learning postgraduate programmes, and a total to date of 1 million enrolments for Edinburgh MOOCs.

As a world-changing, world-leading university we are an exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work. We give you support, nurture your talent, develop and reward success and integrate academic, professional and personal career goals, as well as give your career the benefit of a great and distinguished reputation.

The University of Edinburgh holds a Bronze Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance the representation of women in science, mathematics, engineering and technology. We are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions actively promoting LGBT equality.

The University has a range of initiatives to support a family friendly working environment. See our